Bears WR Luther Burden practices for first time

Receiver Luther Burden is back.

The Bears’ second-round pick practiced for the first time in training camp Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury. He didn’t participate in team drills, though, as he begins his ramp-up period that looks similar to what the Bears have done with other injured players over the past week.

Coach Ben Johnson said on Saturday he hoped Burden would return soon. Receiver DJ Moore said then that Burden, the former Missouri star, had been attentive in meetings all camp.

“He gets called on in meetings and he knows his plays,” Moore said. “So that’s a good thing. When he gets out there, he has to be ready to go.”

Burden could be asked to return punts, something he did 24 times in college, including once for a touchdown. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said Burden was as dangerous of a returner as he was when he got the ball in his hands on offense.

 “When he has the ball in his hands, he’s a different dude,” Hightower said. “He’s dynamic. So that’s what stands out to me. Obviously we’re excited about that draft choice and we’re excited about ways that he can prove that he can help this football team. But he’s gotta prove [it].”

Burden hurt his hamstring during OTAs. The Bears were hopeful he’d be ready for the start of camp, but instead missed the first four practices.

Rookies Shemar Turner (ankle) and Zah Frazier (personal) remained out. Center Doug Kramer, who hurt his foot at the end of Saturday’s practice, didn’t participate, either. Defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon left practice with a trainer.

Brisker on the move

New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will give safety Jaquan Brisker the chance to do something he never did under Matt Eberflus — move around the field.

“I’m in a lot of different packages,” Brisker said. “I’m studying other positions too, which is perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted. I’ve been waiting for so long. But now, here it goes.”

Brisker could play outside like a cornerback or inside like a slot cornerback. At times, he’ll move closer to the line of scrimmage to help with run defense.

“I love being closer to the line of scrimmage,” he said. “So really just having me anywhere where you’ve got to account for me, trying to see where I’m at and things like that. Just like Ben said the other day: ‘You gotta know where No. 9 is.’” 

New helmet

Brisker, who suffered a concussion in Week 5 last year than kept him out for the rest of the season, decided to change his helmet this offseason. He picked the Riddell Axiom 3D only in part because it had the best scores in league-wide safety tests.

“My facemask was kinda similar to my last one,” he said. “That’s all I care about, is the facemask.”

He did not, however, decide to wear a Guardian Cap during practice. The soft-shelled pads that fit over helmets and is designed to reduce the force of impact upon players’ helmets. Players are allowed to wear them in games, too

Notes

• Running back Kyle Monangai said he lost 7 pounds during Monday’s muggy practice, while center Drew Dalman lost more. The Bears spent the rest of the day Monday rehydrating, with the help of the strength staff.

“They’re providing everything we need to be ready for the next day,” Dalman said.

• Bulls forward Matas Buzelis and guard Ayo Dosunmu attended practice. Both are Chicago natives and Bears fans.

• Devin Hester, who was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame a year ago, also went to practice.